We have seen Spain fire 15 goals past their opponents in their three Group B games in the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 in Brazil.

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has helped himself to the healthy total of five of those goals, and this has sparked fresh rumours of his "rejuvenation", his "return to the Torres of old".

I am one of the many people who would just love it if this was true.

Torres has showed glimpses of his opportunistic, predatory best in Brazil, even though he got four of his five goals in a completely one-sided affair against minnows Tahiti.

However, it may just be too soon for us to say that he has returned to the Torres of old, as - if you re-direct your thoughts to exactly one year ago - he had won the Golden Boot award at Euro 2012, and was being backed by everybody to take the Premier League by storm in the following season.

But the sad truth is that even though he got a healthy total of 22 goals in all competitions for Chelsea (including a goal in the final of the Europa League in Amsterdam), he was unable to maintain consistency in his performances and goal-scoring patterns.

I'm afraid that when he retires, Torres will be remembered more for his performances over the last three years at Liverpool and Chelsea, a time during which the best striker in the world by a mile was inexplicably reduced to less than a shadow of his former, glorious self.

I'm personally one for sentimentality, especially when it comes to football (what is football without passion and emotion?), and therefore I find myself incapable of criticising El Nino.

I shudder to think what might have been if he hadn't suffered the dip in confidence and form that he did. I honestly think he could have been one of the best strikers in Premier League history, and possibly the history of European club football, rivalling the likes of Ronaldo, Batistuta, van Basten and other stalwarts.

At his peak, Torres was a force of nature, absolutely phenomenal, and impossible to play against. Even the most ardent United supporters will admit that for a couple of years, Torres and Nemanja Vidic - possibly the club's greatest ever defender - in his pocket.

He was a true class act, the deadliest of finishers - Ruud van Nistelrooy would've been proud - excellent at holding up the ball, tremendously fast with it, good at long-range shots, and an accomplished header of the ball.

Torres had everything a striker could ever want. He was, for a period of two or three years, the best out-and-out striker in the world. And then, well, we can only guess what happened to him.

Torres' form following his transfer to Chelsea has seen a series of ups and downs. The downs have left Chelsea supporters with their heads in their hands, wondering why they had seen Abramovich spend £50m for the Spaniard, while the ups have drawn reverent "ooohs" and "aaahs" from crowds all over England.

His rich current vein of form has prompted speculation concerning a revival, and has showed that he still has what it takes to get back to his best.

Which is why David Moyes should bring the Spaniard to Old Trafford.

Manchester United is arguably at its most unstable position in the last 27 years, with a new manager at the helm and players in the squad now surplus to requirements.

With the retirement of legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the club may be set for a certain period of instability, owing to the upheaval caused by his departure. Former Everton manager Moyes has a huge task on his hands when it comes to deciding his squad for his first season in charge.

It's believed that Moyes is interested in signing another striker - he may even want to re-think his entire attacking line-up. But one striker he should consider on a serious basis is Torres.

As has been discussed above, Torres has all the qualities necessary to thrive in a team like United. He also has enough first-team experience to offer to a young United side, one that needs some leadership as it embarks on a new era in its illustrious history.

I am of the opinion that the way United play would suit Torres perfectly. Moyes has at his disposal quality wingers like Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, who guarantee crosses from both flanks. United can play with two strikers up front, and a combination of Van Persie's hold-up play and Torres' ability to feed off long balls as a second striker would work devastatingly well.

Quick counter-attacks are at the core of United's footballing philosophy, and Torres would be assured of the ball in spaces he can exploit.

Irrespective of whether United play a convergent 4-2-3-1 system (by convergent, I allude to the two wingers cutting in from either flank, allowing full-backs to enter the offensive third of the pitch - this results in deep crosses into the penalty area) or a divergent 4-4-2 (with wingers hugging the flanks and crossing from near the by line), Torres can fit in very well. The never-say-die attitude that we have come to identify United by would do wonders for Torres' confidence.

Also, it remains to be seen where Torres features in Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's plans at Stamford Bridge, as his lack of confidence could well be at odds with the kind of player Mourinho wants to lead his attacking line. But then again, Mourinho is known for his astute man-management, and he could just help Torres on his way to a full return to confidence and form.

Either way, Torres' future is no way set in stone, and it will be interesting to see where he features in Mourinho's plans next year, and if he doesn't, where he ends up going.

A move to Manchester United wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for him, or the Red Devils.

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article. GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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